dabble

[ dab-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, dab·bled, dab·bling.

1. to play and splash in or as if in water, especially with the hands.
2. to work at anything in an irregular or superficial manner:

   to dabble in literature.

   Synonyms: dally, toy, fiddle, putter

3. (of a duck) to feed on shallow-water vegetation with rapid, splashing movements of the bill.

verb (used with object)

, dab·bled, dab·bling.

1. to wet slightly in or with a liquid; splash; spatter.
2. Chiefly South Midland U.S. to wash or rinse off lightly.

dabble

/ ˈdæbəl /

verb

1. to dip, move, or splash (the fingers, feet, etc) in a liquid
2. intr; usually foll by in, with, or at to deal (with) or work (at) frivolously or superficially; play (at)
3. tr to daub, mottle, splash, or smear

   his face was dabbled with paint

Derived Forms

• ˈdabbler, noun

Other Words From

• dabbler noun
• dabbling·ly adverb
• un·dabbled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dabble¹

1550–60; probably dab ¹ + -le; compare Dutch dabbelen, dabben

Word History and Origins

Origin of dabble¹

C16: probably from Dutch dabbelen; see dab ¹

Example Sentences

Outlets with no journalistic ethics don’t just happen to dabble in these fictions; they bank on them.

From Salon

Trump then proceeded to dabble in antisemitism himself.

From Salon

On Instagram—where else—I sought out everyday guys to understand their decisions to dabble in the cosmetic arts.

From Slate

Dobbs promised that history would constrain a court that might want to dabble in politics.

From Slate

I lightly dabble in some acting, making music.

From Los Angeles Times